Recreation and Leisure Studies - Master of Arts (MA) at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Advance your knowledge and career by studying leisure and leisure behaviour from a variety of social science perspectives with the Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure. This program combines theory and practice to deepen your understanding of both the positive and negative aspects of leisure. Develop new ways to enhance quality of life for individuals, families and communities.

Faculty: Faculty of Health | Department: Recreation and Leisure Studies | Duration: 24 months (full-time); 36 months (part-time) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (September - December); application deadlines: February 1 (for admission in September) | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Study option(s): Thesis.

Career pathways

Advance your knowledge and career by studying leisure and leisure behaviour from a variety of social science perspectives with the Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A four-year honours bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Recreation and Leisure Studies or related field with at least a 75% standing. If the overall undergraduate average is below 75%, consideration may be given to the applicant's performance during the final year of academic work. Competency in written expression, including evidence of ability to conceptualize, organize ideas and reason.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Terms run fall (September to December), winter (January to April) and spring (May to August). Programmes are currently accepting applications for fall 2027; intake terms vary by programme.

Graduate applications are made online through the Graduate Studies Application and the non-refundable application fee is $150 CAD per program, paid in the applicant portal. Deadlines are set by each programme (for example MDSAI part-time: fall January 15, winter July 1). Apply two to four weeks ahead of the programme deadline.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.apply.uwaterloo.ca/apply/

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